From George Washington to the Massachusetts Council, 4 September 1775
To the Massachusetts Council
Camp at Cambridge Septemr 4th 1775
Gentlemen
Col. Sergeant has applied to me for his Commission in the Continental Army, & I have no Objection to comply with his Request but his not having received one under the Legislature of this Province. But as I do not mean to confine myself to Forms, if he has been considered by this Governmt as an Officer authorized to raise a Regiment, & would have received a Commission on the Provincial Establishment, and you will signify this to me for my Government & Security: I shall make no Difficulty to grant a Commission to him on the same Terms as are prescribed to other Officers.1 I am Gentlemen most respectfully Your Obedt & very Hbble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Joseph Reed’s writing, M-Ar: Revolution Letters; LB, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The LS is endorsed “In Council Septr 5th 1775 Read & Committed to Jno. Whetcomb Jedh Foster & Jabez Fisher Esqr. P. Morton Dpy Secry.”
1. In its letter to GW of 3 Oct., the council authorized GW to give commissions to Paul Dudley Sargent and the other officers of his regiment. The council’s response to GW’s request was delayed because the General Court was in recess from 24 Aug. to 20 September.